Best Windows / Linux Local Privilege Escalation Workshop Alternatives & Competitors in 2026

Detection Lab

DetectionLab is a pre-configured Windows domain environment with security tooling and logging designed for cybersecurity training and detection capability development.

HackSys Extreme Vulnerable Driver (HEVD)

A Windows kernel driver intentionally designed with various vulnerabilities to help security researchers practice kernel exploitation techniques.

Gray Hat Hacking v6 Lab 29

A hands-on cybersecurity laboratory environment for Gray Hat Hacking Chapter 29 that creates virtualized Docker and Kali Linux machines using Terraform for practical security training exercises.

Security Scenario Generator (SecGen)

SecGen is an open-source framework that automatically generates vulnerable virtual machines and hacking challenges for cybersecurity education and penetration testing training.

AzureGoat

AzureGoat is a deliberately vulnerable Azure cloud infrastructure that incorporates OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities and Azure service misconfigurations for security training and penetration testing practice.

BlueTeam.Lab

BlueTeam.Lab provides Terraform and Ansible scripts to deploy an orchestrated detection laboratory for testing attacks and forensic artifacts in a SOC-like Windows environment.

IronCircle Cybersecurity Training Platform

AI-powered browser-based cybersecurity training platform with labs and certs

TryHackMe Cyber Security Training

Hands-on cybersecurity training platform with gamified labs and challenges

Cybexer Cyber Ranges for Finance and Banking

Cyber range platform for finance & banking sector security training

Bastazo Agoge

OT cybersecurity training platform with hands-on simulations and digital twins

SudoCyber

Gamified cybersecurity training platform with hands-on labs and certifications

ACI Learning Skill Labs

Virtual hands-on IT & cybersecurity lab platform for academic programs.

Hack The Box Pro Labs

Subscription-based enterprise red team simulation labs with AD focus.

CybergymIEC Cyber Arena

Cyber defense training platforms & OT security solutions for critical infrastructure.

Container Internals Lab

An educational repository providing structured lab materials and scripts for learning container technologies and their internal mechanisms.

Damn Vulnerable Web Services

An intentionally vulnerable web application containing multiple web service security flaws designed for educational purposes and security testing practice.

OWASP SamuraiWTF

The best security training environment for Developers and AppSec Professionals.

ThisisLegal.com

Hacker wargames site with forums and tutorials, fostering a learning community.

Simulator

A distributed systems simulator that creates intentionally vulnerable Kubernetes clusters in AWS for security training and attack scenario practice.

MiniCPS

MiniCPS is a framework for real-time Cyber-Physical Systems simulation that supports physical process and control device simulation along with network emulation capabilities.

CTFGuide

Social learning platform for CTF challenges, labs, and cybersecurity training.

AHHHZURE

AHHHZURE is an automated deployment script that creates vulnerable Azure cloud lab environments for offensive security training and cloud penetration testing practice.

Exploit-Challenges

A collection of vulnerable ARM binaries designed for educational exploit development and vulnerability research practice across different architectures and exploitation techniques.

OWASP Hackademic Challenges

OWASP Hackademic Challenges is an educational web platform offering 10 realistic vulnerability scenarios for learning information security concepts through hands-on exploitation in a controlled environment.

Mellivora

Mellivora Mellivora is a PHP-based CTF engine that provides comprehensive competition hosting capabilities with challenge management, team scoring, and administrative tools for cybersecurity competitions.

CloudGoat

CloudGoat is a vulnerable-by-design AWS deployment tool that creates intentionally insecure cloud environments for hands-on cybersecurity training through capture-the-flag scenarios.

DumpsterFire Toolset

A modular, cross-platform framework for creating repeatable, time-delayed security events and scenarios for Blue Team training and Red Team operations.

NightShade

NightShade is a Django-based capture the flag framework that enables organizations to create and manage cybersecurity competitions with support for multiple contest formats and multi-tenant architecture.

Haaukins

Haaukins is an automated virtualization platform that provides hands-on cybersecurity education through capture the flag exercises in controlled vulnerable environments.

WackoPicko Vulnerable Website

WackoPicko is an intentionally vulnerable web application used for security testing, penetration testing practice, and vulnerability scanner evaluation.

MotherFucking CTF

A lightweight CTF platform with simple setup and difficulty-based scoring that removes timezone advantages from competitions.

exploit_me

A deliberately vulnerable ARM/ARM64 application with 14 different vulnerability levels designed for CTF-style exploitation training and education.

OWASP Juice Shop CTF Extension

A Node.js CLI tool that automates the setup of CTF events using OWASP Juice Shop challenges across multiple CTF frameworks.

Damn Vulnerable eXtensive Training Environment (DVXTE)

DVXTE is a Docker-based training platform containing multiple vulnerable applications designed for cybersecurity education and skill development.

Damn Vulnerable Web Application (DVWA)

A deliberately vulnerable PHP/MySQL web application designed for security training, testing, and educational purposes in controlled environments.

InsecureBankv2

InsecureBankv2 is an intentionally vulnerable Android application with a Python back-end server designed for educational purposes in mobile security testing and Android vulnerability research.

GRFICS

GRFICS is a Unity 3D-based framework that provides a virtual industrial control system environment for practicing ICS security attacks and defenses with visual feedback.

Damn Vulnerable GraphQL Application

A deliberately vulnerable GraphQL application designed for security testing and educational purposes, containing multiple intentional flaws for learning GraphQL attack and defense techniques.

echoCTF

echoCTF is a cybersecurity framework for running Capture the Flag competitions and training exercises on real IT infrastructure.

FBCTF

FBCTF is a platform for hosting Jeopardy and King of the Hill style Capture the Flag competitions with support for various scales and participation models.

OWASP Damn Vulnerable Web Sockets (DVWS)

A deliberately vulnerable web application that uses WebSocket communication to provide a training environment for learning about WebSocket-related security vulnerabilities.

CTFd

CTFd is a web-based framework for creating and managing Capture The Flag cybersecurity competitions with customizable challenges, scoring systems, and team management capabilities.

HackTheArch

HackTheArch is an open-source Ruby on Rails-based scoring server platform designed for hosting and managing Cyber Capture the Flag competitions with web-based problem management and hint systems.

Labs-Pentest

A comprehensive collection of free online laboratories and platforms for practicing penetration testing, CTF challenges, and cybersecurity skills development.

Root the Box

Root the Box is a real-time CTF scoring engine that provides a configurable platform for cybersecurity training through gamified wargames and competitions.

Sadcloud

A Terraform tool that creates intentionally misconfigured AWS infrastructure with 84 vulnerabilities across 22 services for security training and testing purposes.

InsecureShop

InsecureShop is an intentionally vulnerable Android application built in Kotlin for educating developers and security professionals about mobile app vulnerabilities and penetration testing techniques.

OVAA (Oversecured Vulnerable Android App)

OVAA is an intentionally vulnerable Android application that aggregates common platform security vulnerabilities for educational and security testing purposes.